A LOCAL cycling champion was invited to meet Sport Minister Shona Robinson to accept a payment to boost her club recently.

Ellie Park, 11, who cycles with Glasgow Riderz, is the Scottish National Track Champion U12 Girls as well as Scottish Skinny Tyres National Road Champion U12 Girls.

Ellie has also received a nomination for the East Kilbride Sports Personality of the Year awards.

She was one of three members of the club to be invited to meet Ms Robinson who wanted to hear the inspirational stories behind clubs and individuals who have been awarded a ‘Go for it Scotland’ bursary.

The scheme was launched earlier this year by Quality Meat Scotland, working with sportscotland. Individuals, groups and clubs were invited to apply for one of the 20 £500 bursaries which will be awarded annually in the run up to Glasgow 2014.

Almost a thousand people are set to benefit from the awards distributed in year one of the bursary.

Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport Shona Robison said: “We are determined to leave a lasting active legacy from the 2014 Commonwealth Games and these awards are helping to break down barriers and ensure continued participation in sport.

“This bursary is a great way to support people of all ages and abilities and will help them to pay for essentials. I am delighted to meet some of the successful recipients and wish them all the very best of luck in their chosen field.”

Glasgow Riderz is a cycling club with a membership of 50 youngsters from five to 16 years of age.

The club promotes high-quality cycling techniques and provides opportunities to try track cycling and mountain biking in a car free environment.

When asked to describe how the club would use the ‘Go for it Scotland’ bursary, they stated: “Coaching is undertaken by a group of highly motivated volunteers. To enable Glasgow Riderz to continue to build on its cycling achievements and produce the next generation of Commonwealth and Olympic Champion cyclists, we need to invest in training more coaches, especially track and mountain bike coaches to enable Riderz to train and compete on the new velodrome opening October 2012. We also need to purchase club clothing to give our Riderz a club identity.”

Anyone can apply for a ‘Go for it Scotland’ bursary, provided they live and train in Scotland, and their sport or healthy activity increases their heart rate.

The bursary can be used to fund equipment, specialist clothing, travel, training, nutrition, coaching or to set up or develop a new or existing group or club.